This may come as a shock to most Christians, but if you do a
search of the less contemporary translations of scripture, the word �feelings�
is virtually nonexistent. Where it does appear, it is cited as more of a
superficial, even negative attribute than a positive; and yet, as we watch and
listen to many from today�s churches, be they leaders or laymen, not only do we
see a clear fixation on feelings, both physical and emotional, we notice that
those feelings have by and large become a replacement for faith.

In fact, if you substitute the word �feelings� wherever you
see the word �faith� in those older Bible versions, it will become clear to you
what motivates and guides the average �Christian� today � point being: most of
us are not following the Living Word of God by faith, we�re simply following our
feelings and calling it �faith.�

This doesn�t require a Bible.

When one considers the sobering words of the prophet
Jeremiah, who said: �The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked�� it should cause us to take a discerning look at what
moves us. If our worship and service to Jesus Christ is measured by mood, then
may I suggest our �Christianity� is more theatrical than theological?

Could it be those laughing and crying masks taken from Greek
comedies and tragedies that once hung in old movie theaters now belong on the
walls of today�s churches? Honestly, is that not what many of us come to church
for these days � to hopefully experience a good laugh or cry with friends, aided
by mood-altering music, motivational speakers, movie clips, drama and sugary
snacks? Is this not what many modern day preachers, teachers, pastors and
worship leaders attempt to facilitate among their congregants and class members
through emotional presentations and elaborate productions� strong feelings that
generate laughter, tears and applause?

And, if you haven�t noticed, leading the charge are people
who are very �passionate.�

You see, �passion� is a buzzword that is commonly used among
contemporary Christians to give assorted �ministries,� however abstract and
bizarre, a perceived legitimacy. If a Christian is �passionate� about something,
it is automatically assumed and accepted by the brethren to be God-ordained, in
spite of what the Bible teaches.

As flesh, we are naturally drawn to whomever or whatever
gratifies us; but that does not mean all people, places and things that make us
feel good are good for us. Feelings are easily manipulated, especially in group
settings where consensus is king; and those feelings can become obstacles in our
obedience to Christ when we make them our primary motivation and navigation
through life.

We know that drugs, alcohol, food, sex, entertainment,
recreation and career can all be addictive and destructive when misused and
abused. Add wealth, fame, power and influence to the mix, where pride becomes an
accelerant, and you have an explosive combination. What most of us, even
Christians, don�t realize though is that at the heart of it all is the subtle
setting-aside of God�s Word in order to feel good.

Some of us do it for results, and others, for relationships.

Eve was deceived by the serpent�s seductive words and took of
the forbidden fruit to get results and thus feel good about herself. Adam
accommodated her because of their relationship in order to sustain the
connection and good feelings between them. She chose results and he chose
relationship � both chose to feel good at God�s expense; and it backfired.

This is the 21st century church.

Mind you, the objective here is not to feel bad, but to hear,
obey and proclaim the Word of God regardless of how it makes anyone feel. When
we ignore His Word to spare our own feelings, we resist the Holy Spirit. And,
when we withhold the Word from others to spare their feelings, we stifle our
witness and demonstrate to one and all that we are more interested in gratifying
goats, seducing sheep and running rampant with the herd, than submitting to the
Shepherd.

This is why the church is in such decline � because we are
going out of our way and sparing no expense to accommodate people and their
passions instead of God and His Word.

Do we really expect the Lord to bless and multiply that? �

2 Timothy 4:1-4I charge thee therefore before God, and the
Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing
and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.